In 1837, under the pen-name "Amelia," she contributed a number of poems to the Louisville "Journal," acquiring a reputation as a notable poet.

[3] The Minstrel-girl—a nickname she gave herself—[citation needed] began at the age of eighteen to write poetry for the Louisville Journal, then edited by the poet, George D. Prentice, over the signature of "Amelia," and kept up her contributions regularly for ten years.

It was the good fortune of "The Rainbow" to inherit a place, with a mere mention of the author, in George Frederick Holmes' Fifth Reader, one of that series of school books so prominent in the South during the last quarter of the 19th century.

Boys and girls all admired and loved "The Rainbow," and even later, as men and women, fondly repeated the lines, thinking of the poem, not as the production of Welby, but simply as a bright page in the old reader.

She began writing poetry at the age of 18, but not of the passionate present or the golden future but rather that of a regretted past.

Though "Summer Birds" furnishes matter for the morning or noontide, after a few cheery verses, she introduces "beneath the moon's pale ray" and "among the tombs".

Her poetry lacking wit or humor, it would, at most, find sentiment or fancies uttered in melodious rhythm.

[5] Light, varied fancy, tender sentiment, a persistent note of pathos, a prompt and facile rhythm -— these were the qualities that won for Welby at the beginning a generous welcome.

From the 74 pieces included in the fullest edition of her poetry, a varied selection was made, and her ability was evident.

[5] Welby might have attained high rank among the lyric poets if her skills from the first had been steadily disciplined.